AI conflict theory and critical criminology

Question 1

What is conflict theory in criminology? Conflict theory associates criminality with socioeconomic status

Answer 1

emphasizing the relationship between class

Question 2

What is the concept of surplus value of labor? Surplus value of labor is the difference between the value of a product and the cost of labor used to produce it

Answer 2

often leading to worker exploitation.

Question 3

What role does the superstructure play in Marx’s critique of capitalism?

Answer 3

The superstructure encompasses social institutions and political structures that are seen as corrupt and designed to maintain the dominance of the bourgeoisie.

Question 4

How do laws reflect the interests of the powerful according to Richard Quinney? Quinney argues that laws are designed to align with the interests of the powerful

Answer 4

either benefiting them directly or at least not challenging their position.

Question 5

What is the relationship between crime and socioeconomic status according to conflict theory? Conflict theory posits a correlation between higher crime rates and lower socioeconomic status

Answer 5

suggesting that poverty increases both criminality and victimization.

Question 6

What are the three major implications of Marxist criminology? Marxist criminology states that societies produce their own unique types and amounts of crime

Answer 6

have distinctive methods of dealing with crime

Question 7

What do conflict criminologists investigate regarding bias in the justice system?

Answer 7

Conflict criminologists examine how racial and class biases influence the treatment of individuals within the criminal justice system.

Question 8

What are the two main classes identified by Karl Marx?

Answer 8

Marx identified the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class) as the two primary classes in society.

Question 9

What is William Bonger known for in the context of criminology? William Bonger is recognized as the first Marxist criminologist

Answer 9

linking Marx’s critiques to issues of criminality and social class.

Question 10

What is the relationship between crime and status in capitalist societies according to Bonger? Bonger posits that capitalism equates status with material possessions

Answer 10

creating competition that fosters criminal behavior.

Question 11

How does conflict theory relate to capitalism?

Answer 11

Conflict theory posits that capitalism creates criminogenic environments due to economic inequality and the power dynamics it produces.

Question 12

How does economic inequality influence criminal behavior according to conflict theorists? Economic inequality leads to marginalization

Answer 12

which weakens social bonds and increases the likelihood of criminal behavior.

Question 13

What does Bonger argue about the laws in capitalist societies?

Answer 13

Bonger argues that laws reflect the interests of the dominant bourgeois class and encourage egoism and criminality.

Question 14

What is Richard Quinney’s perspective on crime? Richard Quinney argues that crime is politically defined

Answer 14

reflecting the interests and power dynamics of those in authority.

Question 15

What is hot spot policing and its implications for marginalized communities? Hot spot policing refers to concentrated police presence in specific areas

Answer 15

which can lead to over-policing without providing necessary support

Question 16

How does the Safe Streets Act exemplify instrumental Marxism? The Safe Streets Act criminalizes behaviors associated with marginalized individuals

Answer 16

reinforcing the interests of the powerful by pushing undesirable demographics out of certain urban areas.

Question 17

What is the relationship between media portrayal of crime and the interests of the powerful? Richard Quinney suggests that media narratives about crime

Answer 17

often emphasizing street crime

Question 18

How do stereotypes about crime affect public perception and policy? Stereotypes about crime

Answer 18

often perpetuated by media

Question 19

What is the implication of Marx’s view on the amount and type of crime? Marx asserts that the nature of crime reflects the societal structure

Answer 19

suggesting that a society’s economic and social conditions dictate the crime it experiences.

Question 20

What is the role of laws against white-collar crime in structural Marxism? In structural Marxism

Answer 20

laws against white-collar crime are seen as necessary to maintain the legitimacy of the legal system and protect capitalism.

Question 21

How does left realism critique traditional Marxist perspectives on crime?

Answer 21

Left realism critiques traditional Marxism for being overly idealistic and emphasizes the need to address crimes committed by the poor against other marginalized individuals.

Question 22

What is the relationship between crime and socioeconomic status according to Marxist criminology? Marxist criminology posits that crime is often a result of systemic inequalities tied to socioeconomic status

Answer 22

particularly affecting the underclass.

Question 23

What is the significance of the absence of laws in conflict criminology? Conflict criminologists

Answer 23

like Richard Quinney

Question 24

What distinguishes instrumental Marxism from structural Marxism? Instrumental Marxism views laws as tools used by the dominant class to maintain power

Answer 24

while structural Marxism emphasizes the broader societal structures that produce crime.

Question 25

What criticism exists regarding the effectiveness of socialism in reducing crime? Critics argue that simply adopting socialism does not guarantee significant reductions in crime

Answer 25

indicating that crime is a complex phenomenon not solely explained by economic systems.

Question 26

What is the dual nature of policing in indigenous communities? Indigenous communities experience both over-policing and under-policing

Answer 26

where they face excessive law enforcement without adequate support or protection.

Question 27

What is the critique of reducing all forms of crime to economic disparities? The critique asserts that conflict theory is reductionist

Answer 27

as it fails to account for all forms of criminality and oversimplifies the causes of crime to socioeconomic inequalities.

Question 28

How does structural Marxism differ from instrumental Marxism in its view of laws?

Answer 28

Structural Marxism argues that laws are designed to protect the capitalist system as a whole rather than merely serving the interests of individual power holders.

Question 30

What is a significant limitation of Marxist criminology?

Answer 30

A significant limitation is its tendency to romanticize criminality by attributing it primarily to economic need rather than recognizing greed and other motivations.

Question 31

How do increased police presence and laws potentially affect crime rates according to left realism?

Answer 31

Increased police presence and laws can inadvertently lead to higher crime rates as they may not address the underlying social issues and may escalate tensions within communities.

Question 32

How do crime rates relate to the distribution of wealth in society according to Marxist criminologists?

Answer 32

Marxist criminologists argue that greater economic inequality leads to higher crime rates as unequal societies create conditions that foster criminal behavior.

Question 33

What role do laws play in reinforcing social order according to conflict theory?

Answer 33

Laws are seen as instruments that protect the interests of the powerful and reinforce existing social hierarchies rather than serving the general population.

Question 34

What is the main argument of instrumental Marxism regarding laws?

Answer 34

Instrumental Marxism posits that laws are created by those in power primarily to serve their own interests.

Question 35

What critique does Marxist criminology have regarding conventional methodologies?

Answer 35

Marxist criminology critiques conventional methodologies for focusing on correcting the powerless rather than addressing the powerful who create and enforce laws.

Question 36

What is the focus of left realism in addressing crime?

Answer 36

Left realism focuses on understanding the specific needs of communities and implementing preemptive measures to address crime effectively.

Question 37

What do Marxist criminologists examine regarding the development of laws? Marxist criminologists examine who develops laws

Answer 37

who influences their creation

Question 38

What does Conflict Theory associate criminality with?

Answer 38

Conflict Theory associates criminality with socioeconomic status, highlighting the connections among class, crime, and control.

Question 39

What is surplus value in Marxist economics?

Answer 39

Surplus value is the value of an item in excess of what was paid for its production, representing the exploitation of workers to generate profit for owners.

Question 40

What is Instrumental Marxism’s view on the role of government and law?

Answer 40

Instrumental Marxism holds that government and law serve the interests of the dominant class, using criminal law to maintain existing social and economic orders.

Question 41

What does Left Realism critique about traditional Marxist theories?

Answer 41

Left Realism critiques traditional Marxist theories for being too idealistic and not adequately addressing the crimes committed by the rich against the poor.

Question 42

What is the relationship between economic inequality and crime according to Conflict Theory?

Answer 42

Conflict Theory posits that economic inequality intensifies personal problems, leading to increased crime.

Question 43

What is the significance of the Safe Streets Act in the context of Marxist Criminology?

Answer 43

The Safe Streets Act exemplifies how laws may serve the interests of the powerful while disproportionately impacting marginalized groups.

Question 44

What is the main claim of Karl Marx regarding capitalism and justice?

Answer 44

Karl Marx claimed that the idea of fairness and justice within capitalism is a ruse, as capitalism creates class strain and conflict.

Question 45

What are the three implications of Marxist Criminology?

Answer 45

1. Each society produces its own types and amounts of crime; 2. Each society has distinctive ways of dealing with criminal behavior; 3. Each society gets the amount and type of crime it deserves.

Question 46

How does socioeconomic marginalization relate to crime according to Conflict Theorists?

Answer 46

Conflict Theorists argue that socioeconomic marginalization weakens bonds to society, leading to increased crime.

Question 47

According to Structural Marxism, what is the purpose of government and law?

Answer 47

Structural Marxism suggests that government and law exist to protect capitalism and ensure stability for profit-making.

Question 48

What is the focus of Left Realism in criminology?

Answer 48

Left Realism focuses on the needs of particular communities and advocates for pre-emptive deterrence rather than simply increasing police presence.

Question 49

How does the justice system serve the rich according to Chambliss and Seidman?

Answer 49

Chambliss and Seidman argue that the justice system protects the rich by allowing them greater access to define crimes, enforce laws, and determine punishment.

Question 50

What are the two components of society according to Marxist thought?

Answer 50

Marxist thought identifies society as composed of productive forces and productive relations, characterized by the power struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Question 51

What does Richard Quinney’s Social Reality of Crime theory state?

Answer 51

Quinney’s theory posits that crime is politically defined to align with the interests of the powerful, influenced by media stereotypes and moral panics.

Question 52

How do laws reflect the interests of the dominant class according to Willem Bonger?

Answer 52

Bonger argues that laws reflect the interests of the ruling class and that capitalism fosters egoism and criminality by equating status with material possessions.

Question 53

What are the limitations of Marxist Criminology as noted in critiques?

Answer 53

Critiques of Marxist Criminology highlight its reductionist nature and inability to explain all forms of crime, particularly those not directly tied to class struggles.